Ronn Crowder
Born in Memphis, Tennessee, Ronn is from a family of musicians. His grandfather JB Maxcy was the first man to play harmonica live on the radio. -Atlanta Journal, Sept 22, 1923. Ronn started singing in public when he was 3 years old at the corner barber shop. He did session work around Memphis until 1981. Worked in Sun Recording Studios, American Studios, Ardent Studios, Sounds of Memphis, and Stairway Studios in Memphis. In 1981 he relocated to the Los Angeles area and worked in the music business there until 1994. After the Northridge earthquake the Crowder family relocated to central Kentucky until present. Ronn is now a well-known musician in the central Kentucky area.
He Was a featured performer at the first five Memphis in May music festivals. He served as opening act in concerts headlined by Rick Springfield, Pure Prairie League, Styx, Stephen Bishop, Koko Taylor, and Eddie Clearwater, among others.
Ronn's latest solo album, Memphis Town, also on Altus Records, was released in 2011 and is available online at www.cdbaby.com/artist/ronncrowder or at any online digital retailer like iTunes, cdbaby, amazon, etc.
Ronn's “Harp Country” album was released on Altus Records in 1998. Over 10 years in the making. Three of the songs from “Harp Country” were featured in the motion picture “Devil Girl” directed by Rob Zombie. (DVD Available). One song, “Down So Long” had a complete scene built around it, according to movie producer Tracy Wilcox. For more details about the movie go to www.devilgirlthemovie.com.
He performed on stage and/or recordings with Furry Lewis, Leo LeBlanc, The Hombres, Jerry Lee Lewis, Bonnie Bramlett, Lindy Hearne, The Amazing Rhythm Aces, and played with Don McNatt and the Smplzat Band, in addition to fronting his own Harp Country Band at the Palomino and other venues in Los Angeles. He hosted a popular songwriter’s showcase in Los Angeles at the “Hideaway” in Kagel Canyon. Many celebrities would come out (some to perform), including Bonnie Bramlett, David Carradine, William Shatner, and others.
Ronn presently performs his solo act at many venues in central Kentucky, and is currently a member of two bands, Sons of the Frigidaires, and RC and the NightShades, with the late five-time Emmy winner, master pianist, Jay Flippin. Their album released on Altus Records in late 2014 is "Snakebit" a 12 song album by RC and the NightShades. It is comprised of four of Ronn's compositions, one a co-written effort with Lindsay Olive, lead guitarist for the band, and the rest of the songs are well-known songs with the NightShades' touch. Horn arrangements by Jay Flippin. It is available at www.cdbaby.com/artist/rcandthenightshades.